Maurice Hawkins just keeps doing what he does best: winning. On Monday night at WSOP Circuit Tunica, Hawkins captured yet another gold ring, stretching his all-time lead to 23 WSOPC titles—and doing it for the second time in just one week.

This latest victory came in the $400 Double Stack Closer, a one-day event that drew 127 entries on the final day of the series. Hawkins outlasted the field to pocket $10,473, adding another five-figure score to a week that already included a $25,000 win in the $400 Mini Main.

“Printing Money” and Making History

Hawkins joked on social media last week that “printing money is what I do,” and the results continue to back it up. Ring No. 23 not only widens his lead atop the all-time WSOP Circuit leaderboard, but also carries a fitting Michael Jordan theme for basketball fans—something Hawkins fully embraced during his post-win photo shoot.

The win also locked up more than just hardware. Hawkins secured the overall series leaderboard title, earning himself a seat in the 2026 WSOP Main Event in what amounted to a do-or-die final event scenario.

Love him or loathe him, Hawkins has become the undeniable main character of the WSOP Circuit.

A Rivalry That Keeps Escalating

Hawkins’ dominance hasn’t come without controversy. Over the past year, his name has been attached to everything from a poker room fistfight to public bad-debt allegations. Yet none of it has slowed his momentum on the Circuit.

His latest ring extends the gap over Ari Engel, who sits second all-time with 20 rings. The rivalry between the two has been a constant tug-of-war:

• Engel began 2025 in front with 18 rings

• Hawkins pulled level in March after the controversial Baltimore Main Event

• Engel briefly reclaimed the lead days later

• Hawkins tied things again in April with a Tunica Monster Stack win

• Rings No. 20 and 21 followed in New Orleans, pushing Hawkins ahead

• Engel grabbed his 20th in September to draw even once more

Now, with Daniel Lowery also looming with 19 rings, the chase is tighter than ever—but Hawkins continues to find ways to separate himself.

What’s Next on the Circuit?

The WSOP Circuit rolls on with back-to-back stops in Pompano Beach and Cherokee, and if history is any guide, Hawkins won’t be sitting those out. Cherokee, in particular, has been kind to him—four of his rings have come there, including the 2024 Main Event.

At this point, betting against Maurice Hawkins adding to his record feels like a losing proposition. Ring No. 23 may not be the last time he’s posing for photos this season.